Reliability of 911s (pre-89)?
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking at potentially getting one of these, any tips on what to look out for on them? What's servicing like, are they pretty reiable? Known faults? Possible to live with day to day?
I want a targa, and the turbo-style spoiler (don't think I can afford a real turbo right now) and no outrageous colours. I quite like this one:
[url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/92934.htm[/url]
Anyone know it?
Finally, who should I be going to for insurance? I'm 22 btw...
Looking at potentially getting one of these, any tips on what to look out for on them? What's servicing like, are they pretty reiable? Known faults? Possible to live with day to day?
I want a targa, and the turbo-style spoiler (don't think I can afford a real turbo right now) and no outrageous colours. I quite like this one:
[url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/92934.htm[/url]
Anyone know it?
Finally, who should I be going to for insurance? I'm 22 btw...
get a good one and there pretty much Bullet proof.. just remember there old'ish cars but way before there time in performance etc....remember the old saying ''you get what you pay for'' ...they do have common little niggly faults or should i say some do...heater blowers not always in tip top shape..look for rust on door shuts / wheel well above battery / check everything is in working order or this maybe a point to haggle with the seller ..
good luck
good luck
sambaman said:
get a good one and there pretty much Bullet proof.. just remember there old'ish cars but way before there time in performance etc....remember the old saying ''you get what you pay for'' ...they do have common little niggly faults or should i say some do...heater blowers not always in tip top shape..look for rust on door shuts / wheel well above battery / check everything is in working order or this maybe a point to haggle with the seller ..
good luck
good luck
oh !!...not forgetting worn synchros in g/box..can be quite expensive to repair ! drive and feel for the crunch ,.. if clutch is heavy maybe time for a new one..again not mega expensive but not so cheap if your on a budget.
They generally, just go on & on.
Did you especially yearn for a Targa though,
they do famously leak a bit, and winter is almost upon us again.
I bought an 82' Coupe
about Five years ago, its currently having the infamous top-end rebuild after going around the clock, but its good for 150, and doesn't hang around getting there,
Try all the Electrics,
check for warmth under your hand on demister for example, along with all the heating controls
basically cold at the front of car, the heat travels from the rear and is regulated between the seats by either a dial/lever,
again winters coming,
Did you especially yearn for a Targa though,
they do famously leak a bit, and winter is almost upon us again.
I bought an 82' Coupe
about Five years ago, its currently having the infamous top-end rebuild after going around the clock, but its good for 150, and doesn't hang around getting there,
Try all the Electrics,
check for warmth under your hand on demister for example, along with all the heating controls
basically cold at the front of car, the heat travels from the rear and is regulated between the seats by either a dial/lever,
again winters coming,
well maintained engines will do well over the 250,000 mile mark. 87 on with the later type G50 gearbox and hydraulic clutch are easier to use. the earlier 915 gearboxes tend to eat synchro rings and dog teeth if abused (jump out of gear when decelerating). Clutch becomes heavy when worn. Targa's tend to leak but are cheap, I'd go for a coupe unless you can be sure that the targa's roof is a good one.
I've got an '88 Targa and, yes, the roof leaks a bit - nothing you can't sort with a bit of vaseline though. Used mine as a daily driver initially - put 6k miles on in first 4 months of ownership last year.
Generally speaking buy on condition not mileage - if it's a bit tatty outside it's probably tired mechanically in my experience of car buying.
Remember these are nearly 20 year old cars so bits will start to need replacing even on the good ones. Whilst servicing isn't expensive there's usually a few other bits and pieces that'll need sorting each year - reckon on £1200 - £1500 a year for running costs.
Insurance wise, I stuck with elephant.co.uk as a daily use policy - no insistence on it being garaged or tracker fitted etc. Less than £500 a year for up to 8000 miles.
Targa is a great compromise if you like open top but don't want a cabrio.
Go for it - maybe speak to Tom or Henry at 911virgin and see what they have in stock.
Generally speaking buy on condition not mileage - if it's a bit tatty outside it's probably tired mechanically in my experience of car buying.
Remember these are nearly 20 year old cars so bits will start to need replacing even on the good ones. Whilst servicing isn't expensive there's usually a few other bits and pieces that'll need sorting each year - reckon on £1200 - £1500 a year for running costs.
Insurance wise, I stuck with elephant.co.uk as a daily use policy - no insistence on it being garaged or tracker fitted etc. Less than £500 a year for up to 8000 miles.
Targa is a great compromise if you like open top but don't want a cabrio.
Go for it - maybe speak to Tom or Henry at 911virgin and see what they have in stock.
They are pretty reliable, but do have a leakdown and compression test - at even modest mileages, head studs do break and the only way of discovering that is by getting a professional to do those test. ..and check the state of ALL oil pipes.
Any rust bubbles are bad news if you want a tidy car.
915 'boxes do show wear in 3rd gear synchro - the first sign
clutch forks can make a gearbox appear shagged too
the whole heating system can seize up - the butterflies rust, the heat exchangers rust too and removal of those and replacement often entails stripping the entire exhaust system off the car assuming the nuts budge
Any rust bubbles are bad news if you want a tidy car.
915 'boxes do show wear in 3rd gear synchro - the first sign
clutch forks can make a gearbox appear shagged too
the whole heating system can seize up - the butterflies rust, the heat exchangers rust too and removal of those and replacement often entails stripping the entire exhaust system off the car assuming the nuts budge
If you can get a real expert like Russel Lewis of RSR Engineering to do a PPI you should avoid buying a problem car.
Mostly though the build quality of 3.2 Carrera's is fantastic & puts the current cars to shame. My 3.2 CS was still on it's original exhaust & had not 1 rattle or squeek.
Mostly though the build quality of 3.2 Carrera's is fantastic & puts the current cars to shame. My 3.2 CS was still on it's original exhaust & had not 1 rattle or squeek.
rich 36 said:
Did you especially yearn for a Targa though,
they do famously leak a bit, and winter is almost upon us again.
I bought an 82' Coupe about Five years ago, its currently having the infamous top-end rebuild after going around the clock, but its good for 150, and doesn't hang around getting there,
Try all the Electrics,
check for warmth under your hand on demister for example, along with all the heating controls
I do really want a targa, think its a fantastic compromise as it keeps the 911 looks whilst offering air in your hair motoring
What causes the leaks? Can it not be rectified with a bit of simple modification?
And rich can you elaborate more on how to check the heaters?
As for the comments about winter, well I'm looking to get one sometime next year just thought i'd start looking around and getting up to scratch on what to look out for.
Edited by Seany88 on Monday 2nd October 16:00
hi again,
The heating system is a bit arcane, heat being collects by metal shrouds around exhaust system on either side of the engine underneath, by heat exchanger
(flattish panels)
heat travels via a regulator device or 'snails' on rear bulkhead engine side, along the inner sills to be directed by you, either up or down.
at the same time a fresh air blower on front bulhead, allows you to mix hot & cold to suit, some had a little rubber sensor at the highest point inside car
(rear view mirror) which dependant on temp in cabin, automatically regulated a heat dial between seats,
most of us make do with pulling a lever, also there, up & down.
you find a setting eventually you like, and it stays there.
the demistor in back screen, should be warm to touch when activated,
As I say, I'd try every single switch and button if it was me buying one first
don't forget electric mirror tiny rocker switch (L & R mirror)
below speedo.
My insurers charge £207,
not garaged but off road parking
The heating system is a bit arcane, heat being collects by metal shrouds around exhaust system on either side of the engine underneath, by heat exchanger
(flattish panels)
heat travels via a regulator device or 'snails' on rear bulkhead engine side, along the inner sills to be directed by you, either up or down.
at the same time a fresh air blower on front bulhead, allows you to mix hot & cold to suit, some had a little rubber sensor at the highest point inside car
(rear view mirror) which dependant on temp in cabin, automatically regulated a heat dial between seats,
most of us make do with pulling a lever, also there, up & down.
you find a setting eventually you like, and it stays there.
the demistor in back screen, should be warm to touch when activated,
As I say, I'd try every single switch and button if it was me buying one first
don't forget electric mirror tiny rocker switch (L & R mirror)
below speedo.
My insurers charge £207,
not garaged but off road parking
Seany88 said:
Not quite sure he meant that...
Ok well I guess it goes without saying that I shouldn't get a lemon.
I'm also considering a Honda S2000, which I think is possibly a safer buy? Any opinions, however biased?
Ok well I guess it goes without saying that I shouldn't get a lemon.
I'm also considering a Honda S2000, which I think is possibly a safer buy? Any opinions, however biased?
Owning a 3.2 carrera will make you understand why the older 911's were so special. They may not be the fastest but they are the most envolving and special cars to drive. Nowadays it is all about being able to have fun but at sensible speeds and so avoiding going to prison for a very long time and the big bonus is buy a good one and it will cost pennies to run and you won't loose money
There's an 88/89 911 'Club Sport' that was bought new from Dick Lovetts (Porsche Swindon).
It has had one owner and he has used it to commute to/from work each day, and it has covered over 400,000 miles.
The engine was overhauled at 330,000 miles. The owner said it had been remarkably reliable and still feels tight and fresh.
Interestingly, the biggest notable consumable has been windscreens. He's had about five. Presumably stone chips are inevitable if you do a big mileage and enjoy the car's performance
It has had one owner and he has used it to commute to/from work each day, and it has covered over 400,000 miles.
The engine was overhauled at 330,000 miles. The owner said it had been remarkably reliable and still feels tight and fresh.
Interestingly, the biggest notable consumable has been windscreens. He's had about five. Presumably stone chips are inevitable if you do a big mileage and enjoy the car's performance
sambaman said:
a G-50 for 8k ....???? you'd be lucky !!
i meant you can spend £8000 on mechanical work not the price of the car,i replaced my engine,pads and discs and had no change from £8000.The engine was second hand as a rebuild was around £9000.The pistons alone were £3000.Like I said get an inspection.scruffy101 said:
All good advice but you MUST get a proper inspection from someone who knows them.Bringing a poor one up to scratch is truly scary,i know £8000 can go in the blink of an eye.Go for the g 50 though.
rubystone said:
915 'boxes do show wear in 3rd gear synchro - the first sign
clutch forks can make a gearbox appear shagged too
Just had mine rebuilt with new 2nd and 3rd gear synchro's. But the biggest improvement was fitting a new sliding selector sleeve that has transformed it no end. I've never driven a G50 boxed car but I have heard that a good 915 car will be better than a poor G50 one, all IMO.
I think the 3.2 Carrera was a tough, well engineered design. A Club Sport should be even more reliable as there is less to go wrong. The G50 is the way to go. 915 isn't too bad, but clutch heavier and selection slower and more vague. Actually, 915 is slightly more pleasant in lhd cars.
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